Operation Phakisa achievements welcomed

According to SAnews.gov.za Cabinet has welcomed the achievements highlighted by President Jacob Zuma during his site visit to the Port of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, to assess progress made on the implementation of the Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy initiative.

According to Minister in the Presidency: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe, government has unlocked investments amounting to about R17bn in the Oceans Economy.

“Since its inception, over 4,500 jobs have been created in various sectors,” said the Minister.

Two of the nine tugboats being built by the Southern African Shipyards for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in the Port of Durban are destined for the Port of Port Elizabeth.

The TNPA has allocated over R7bn to improve our ports.

“The President viewed the refurbished and reconstructed slipway and lead-in jetties within the Port of Port Elizabeth that will be able to accommodate 12 more vessels as compared to the current two.

“President Zuma launched the first tugboat in Port Elizabeth, named the Mvezo, after the birthplace of former President Nelson Mandela,” says Minister Radebe.